Single use enhancement for dispenser assembly

ABSTRACT

A locking device structured to maintain an activating plunger of a dispenser assembly in an inoperative position, subsequent to dispensing, so as to facilitate a single-use operation thereof and thereby preclude the potential confusion between a used and an unused single-use dispensing device. The locking device includes a body disposed in receiving relation to the plunger as it moves from an operative position to an inoperative position. A locking structure connected to the body is disposed to frictionally engage the plunger in movement restricting relation during its passage from the operative position to the inoperative position. Such frictional engagement is sufficient to restrict movement of the plunger back into the operative position once the material has been dispensed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention is directed to a locking device structured for use incombination with a dispenser assembly and including the structuralversatility enabling it to be an original part of the dispensingassembly when manufactured and assembled or as an add-on device. Ineither application, the locking device is structured to assume amovement restricting engagement with an activating plunger of thedispenser assembly thereby assuring that the dispenser assembly will beused and operated as a “single-use” device.

2. Description of the Related Art

Dispenser assemblies structured to dispense medical or therapeuticcompositions into the nasal passages of an individual are common andused extensively for the treatment of nasal and sinus conditions. Onetypical structure for this type of dispenser is known as a “squeeze”bottle, wherein resilient walls of the dispenser structure are manuallycompressed, resulting in a mixture of air and intended medication beingdirected from the discharge nozzle thereof. Typically, a dispenser ofthis type is intended for repeated use, thereby rendering it difficultto control the amount of composition delivered. In addition, there is atendency, after discharge, to release the resilient walls of the squeezetype dispenser which in turn results in an inadvertent withdrawal offluids from the nasal passage. Such fluids typically will accumulate onthe exterior surface of the nozzle. As a result multiple users of thesame dispenser assembly are in danger of infection by coming in contactwith or inhaling the bodily fluids accumulated from the last user orprevious users.

In addition the operation and structure of many dispensers do notprovide a meaningful control of the dose or amount of therapeuticcomposition being dispensed. As a result, the dose regimen for eachdispenser cannot be controlled and may result in problems, disadvantagesand harm to the user.

Accordingly, single-dose administration devices are sometimes preferredfor a variety of reasons including dose precision and prevention oftransmission of infection/reduction of risk of contamination. Morespecifically, depending on the structural and/or operative features ofthe administration device, it may be obvious that the dose has beendispensed and that it no longer has any medication in it. However, forother designs it may be difficult or indeed impossible to know if thedevice has been used or not. Such situations may occur if theadministration device does not preclude the operative positioning of anactivating member such as, but not limited to, the withdrawal of anactivating “plunger” or like component. As a result a discharge devicemay appear to be identical to a device which has not been discharged.Accordingly, in the latter scenario, a person may not recognize themedication dispenser has been used until after they try to use it. Inthe case of a medicine that is needed for emergency purposes, this couldbe extremely dangerous. Therefore, a mechanism that ensures a “used”single-use device could not be “reused” and would therefore not beconfused with an “unused” single use device.

Therefore, there is a need in the art relating to dispenser assembliesspecifically including, but not limited to, nasal or other dispenserstructures intended to deliver a therapeutic or medicinal composition,for an improved dispenser assembly. Such an improved dispenser structureshould be operative to overcome problems and disadvantages of the typeset forth above. Accordingly one proposed and improved dispenserassembly can be initially structured and/or subsequently modified tooperate as a “single-use” dispenser. As such, the operative componentsof such an improved dispenser assembly would become inoperable at leastto the extent of preventing its re-use thereby limiting the quantity ofmaterial that may be dispensed therefrom. As should be apparent,single-use dispensers overcome many of the problems of the type setforth above by allowing only a single dose to be dispensed. In additiondue to the fact that a dispenser assembly cannot be re-used, the chancesof infections being transferred from one individual to another iseliminated or significantly reduced.

Moreover, a single-use structuring of a dispenser assembly may involvethe inclusion of an improved locking device. Further, the structural andoperative features of such an improved locking device facilitates itsuse as an original component of a dispenser assembly as manufactured andassembled (OEM) or alternatively serve as an “add-on” component to adispenser assembly which has already been designed and manufactured.Structural and operative features of such a proposed and improvedlocking device would enable the normal operation of other components ofthe dispenser assembly such as, but not limited to, an activatingplunger movable into a dispensed orientation to facilitate thedispensing of a single dose material from the dispenser assembly.However, the proposed and improved locking device would also serve tointeract with the plunger assembly or other operative components of thedispenser assembly to prevent a re-use thereof and/or more than one,predetermined doses being dispensed therefrom.

Finally an improved and proposed locking device of the type needed toovercome the problems and disadvantages as set forth above would be ofsimple structure and design and would significantly reduce the costthereof thereby facilitating its use in a single-use dispenser assemblywhich may thereafter be discarded.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a locking device which isstructured to be used in combination with a dispenser assembly, eitheras part of its original manufactured components (OEM) or as an “add-on”included after the other components of the dispensed assembly have beendesigned and manufactured. In either application, the locking device ofthe present invention renders the dispenser assembly a “single-use”device by preventing or at least restricting an activating plunger ofthe dispenser assembly from being disposed back into an operative or“ready” position from an inoperative or dispensed position, once asingle dispensing cycle has occurred.

Accordingly, the dispenser assembly, as described and represented hereinmay be considered only representative of other dispenser assemblieshaving different structural and operative features. As such, therepresentative dispenser assembly referred to herein includes a housing,a dispensing portion, an activating plunger, and a supply of materialand/or composition intended to be dispensed.

More specifically, the locking device of the present invention comprisesa body dimensioned and configured to be disposed on an interior of thehousing of the dispensing assembly in an accessible, engaging relationto the plunger, as the plunger moves from the aforementioned operativeor “ready” position into the inoperative or “dispensed” position. In atleast one preferred embodiment, the body includes an open and/or hollowinterior having oppositely disposed open ends. Further, the bodyincludes a substantially cylindrically configured outer wall disposed insurrounding relation to the open interior and at least partiallydefining the boundaries thereof. The inner or proximal open end of thebody includes a head portion extending transversely outward, about theperiphery thereof and includes an outer exposed surface. Fixedpositioning and secure mounting of the body within the interior of thehousing of the dispenser assembly is facilitated through the provisionof a connector disposed in securing position between the outer orexposed surface of the head of the body and correspondingly disposedinterior surface portions of the housing dispenser. In at least oneembodiment a connector may be at least partially formed of an adhesivematerial thereby serving to adhesively secure the body of the lockingdevice in its intended position.

In addition, the body includes a locking structure formed thereon. In atleast one preferred embodiment the cylindrical outer wall of the bodyincludes a locking flange connected to the exterior outer wall andextending outwardly therefrom preferably, but not necessarily at anupwardly directed angular orientation. The dimension and configurationof the locking flange will be such as to purposefully interfere withpassage and movement of the plunger by sliding but frictionally engagingcorresponding portions of the activating plunger as it is selectivelyforced from the operative, ready position into the inoperative,dispensed position. Once disposed in the dispensed or inoperativeposition, the frictional engagement between the locking flange of thelocking structure and corresponding surface portions of the activatingplunger will define a movement restricting engagement therebetween. As aresult, activating plunger will be prevented from moving back into theoperative or ready-to-use position after a single dispensing cycle ofthe dispenser assembly has occurred. As should be evident, maintainingthe activating plunger in the inoperative or dispensed position preventsits re-use.

Other structural and operative features of the locking device of thepresent invention may include the locking flange of the lockingstructure being at least partially flexible, being formed of arelatively flexible material and/or having at least a minimal amount offlexibility due to its interconnection with the outer wall of the body.As such passage of the activating plunger into the dispensed orinoperative position will force corresponding interior surfaces of theactivating plunger into a sliding, frictional engagement with theoutwardly extending locking flange of the locking structure. When suchengagement occurs, the locking flange may be flexed inwardly towards theouter wall of the body to which it is attached.

As a result the frictional engagement between the locking flange and thecorresponding surface of the plunger will be enhanced and maintained inthat the flexible characteristics of the locking flange will tend tobias it outwardly into the aforementioned frictional, movementrestricting engagement. As a result, the movement of the plunger backinto the operative or ready position will be restricted or prevented,thereby making the dispenser assembly a “single-use” device. As setforth above, the locking device demonstrates sufficient structuralversatility to be considered an original component of the dispenserassembly as it is manufactured and assembled. In contrast, the lockingstructure may be an add-on device so as to assure that the dispenserassembly operates as a single use dispenser.

Moreover, the dispenser assembly itself may be structured to dispense avariety of different materials and/or be specifically customized orstructured as to serve as a single purpose dispenser such as nasaldispenser. In such a latter application, the dispensing portion of thedispenser assembly may be at least partially dimensioned or configuredto facilitate specified dispensing procedures, such as including adispensing nozzle. In addition, the locking device of the presentinvention is operatively structured with both the dispensing portion ofthe dispenser assembly as well as the plunger so as to not interferewith movement or positioning of the plunger into operative relation withthe dispensing portion and supply of material to be dispensed.Therefore, the open interior configuration of the body as well as theoppositely disposed open ends thereof are disposed and dimensioned tofacilitate the normal or intended operation of the plunger as itinteracts with the dispensing portion of the dispenser assembly when theplunger is forced from the ready or operative position to the dispensedor inoperative position. However, the aforementioned locking structureat least partially defined by the locking flange will prevent returnmovement of the plunger from the inoperative, dispensed position backinto the operative, ready position.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become clearer when the drawings as well as the detaileddescription are taken into consideration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention,reference should be had to the following detailed description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a locking device to be operativelypositioned within the interior of a dispenser assembly therebyfacilitating its use as a single-use dispenser.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a connector used to connect the lockingdevice of the embodiment of FIG. 1 within the interior of the dispensedassembly.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing interior portions of anexample of a dispenser assembly with which the locking device of theembodiment of FIG. 1 may be used.

FIG. 3 is a detailed view in partial cutaway of the indicated portion ofFIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an interior sectional view in the partial cutaway of theembodiments of FIGS. 1-3 in an operative position.

FIG. 5 is an interior sectional view in partial cutaway of theembodiment of FIG. 4 in an at least partially dispensed position.

FIG. 6 is an interior sectional view of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5 in anon-operative position upon completion of the dispensing of the materialfrom the dispensing assembly.

FIG. 7 is a detailed view of the indicated portion of FIG. 6.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several viewsof the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As represented in the accompanying drawings, the present invention isdirected to a locking device generally indicated as 10 structured to beused in combination with a dispenser assembly of the type represented inFIG. 2 and generally represented as 12. It is emphasized that thedispenser assembly 12 is represented in example form only in thatstructural features of a different dispenser assembly (not shown) mayvary from the dispenser assembly 12 and still be operative when used incombination with the locking device 10.

Accordingly the dispenser assembly 12 includes a housing 14 and adispensing portion generally indicated as 16 connected thereto orotherwise associated therewith. The dispensing portion 16 is operativelyassociated with a material or composition (not shown) intended to bedispensed. The dispenser assembly 12 also includes a delivery portion 18which may be in the form of a nozzle or like structure such as, but notlimited to, the type intended to deliver medicinal or therapeuticmaterial to nasal passages of an individual. The delivery portion ornozzle 18 may be appropriately shaped for at least minimal insertioninto the nostril and/or nasal passages of the individuals, but is notlimited to such a use or application. Additional operative features ofthe dispenser assembly 12 include a plunger generally indicated as 20,which serves to engage and activate the dispensing portion 16 as itmoves from an operative or “ready” position of FIG. 2 into a “dispensed”or inoperative position as represented in FIG. 6.

Dependent upon the specific cooperative structuring of the variouscomponents of the dispenser assembly 12, the plunger in the embodimentrepresented in FIG. 2 has an activating member 22 disposable intoactivating and/or operative engagement with a portion of a dispensingassembly 16 so as to cause the dispensing of the intended material fromthe dispensing portion 16 and delivery portion or nozzle 18.Accordingly, the activating member or portion 22 moves with the plunger20 as it is forced within the interior of the body 14, such that theactivating member or portion 22 engages the dispensing portion 16 in anintended manner. Therefore and as indicated above, in the operative orready position of FIG. 2 the plunger extends outwardly from the body 14in a “non-activating” engagement or relation to the dispensing portion16. In contrast, the activating member 22 associated with the plunger 20moves into activating engagement with the dispensing portion 16 as theplunger 20 progressively passes through the interior of the housing 14in the manner represented in FIGS. 5 and 6.

With primary reference to FIG. 1, the locking device 10 includes a body30 preferably comprising a substantially cylindrical outer wallconfiguration and an open interior including oppositely disposed openends 32 and 34. The body 30 also includes a head portion generallyindicated as 36 comprising a connecting flange 38 having an outerexposed surface 38′ which is dimensioned and configured to facilitatesecure connection or mounting of the locking device 10 within theinterior of the housing 14 of the dispenser assembly 12. As represented,the connecting flange 38 extends transversely outward from the body 30in at least partially surrounding relation to the open end 34 and/or theperiphery thereof.

As further represented in FIG. 1, a connector generally indicated as 40is dimensioned and configured to be at least partially mounted on theouter surface 38′ of the connecting flange 38. When so positioned, theconnecting flange 38 serves to interconnect the body 30 tocorrespondingly disposed interior portions, as at 42, of the housing 14.In more specific terms, at least one embodiment of the connector 40 mayinclude a substantially annular configuration at least partiallycorresponding to the annular configuration of the connecting flange 38and outer exposed surface 38′. Further, the connector 40 may be at leastpartially formed from an adhesive material or have adhesivecharacteristics sufficient to adhesively interconnect the mountingflange 38 and accordingly the remainder of the body 30 to interiorsurface portions or other corresponding portions 42 within the housing14.

Therefore, it is emphasized that the locking device 10 may beoperatively mounted and/or connected within the interior of the housing14 and as such may be an original component of the dispenser assembly 12as it is initially manufactured, produced and/or assembled. In contrast,the structural versatility of the locking device 10 enables it to beadded to a dispenser assembly 12, of the type represented in FIG. 2, asan “add-on” component. In either application, the locking device 10 isstructured to facilitate the original manufacture or the conversion of adispenser assembly 12 to a “single-use” dispenser. In doing so, many ofthe disadvantages and problems recognized in the structural andoperative features of known devices of this type are overcome. As setforth herein such problems include, but are not limited to, themonitoring or regulating of the individual dose of material beingdispensed from the dispenser assembly 12.

Accordingly, the structural and operative features of the locking device10 which enables the operation and use of a dispenser assembly 12 as a“single-use” dispenser includes the provision of a locking structuregenerally indicated as 46. More specifically, the locking structure 46preferably comprises a locking structure 46 in the form of lockingflange 48. The locking structure and locking flange 48 is connectedexteriorly of the body 30 to the outer cylindrical wall 30′ preferably,but not necessarily, adjacent or contiguous to a corresponding end 32.In addition, the locking flange 48, due at least in part to the materialfrom which it is formed or alternatively due to its connection to thebody 30, is at least partially flexible and/or demonstrates flexiblecharacteristics. Moreover, the maintenance of the plunger 20 in thenon-operative and/or dispensed position renders the dispenser assembly12 a single-use device. This is accomplished by the locking flange 48frictionally engaging and possibly at least minimally penetratingcorresponding interior surfaces as at 21′ as clearly represented inFIGS. 6 and 7.

Therefore, as the plunger 20 is pushed inwardly into the interior of thehousing 14, the activating member 22 will operatively engage thedispensing portion 16 causing the dispensing of the intended materialfrom the delivery portion or nozzle 18, as intended. However, the forcedinward travel of the plunger 20 will also result in the interior surfaceportions 21 passing into sliding, frictional engagement with the lockingflange 48 defining the locking structure 46. Therefore, as representedin FIGS. 6 and 7, at least the outer free end or periphery 48′ of thelocking flange 48 will slidingly engage the correspondingly disposedinterior surfaces 21 of the plunger 20 resulting in a frictionalengagement therebetween. Further, when such frictional engagement occursthe locking flange 48 may be forced or “biased” inwardly towards theouter cylindrical wall 30′. Due to the flexible characteristics of thelocking flange 48 as well as the material from which it is formed, thelocking flange 48 will be normally biased outwardly into the orientationor position represented in FIG. 2, when the locking flange 48 is notengaged by the plunger 20, as at plunger portion or surface 21. However,once frictional engagement occurs between the interior surfaces 21 andthe plunger 20 the locking flange 48, the locking flange 48 will be atleast partially biased inwardly towards the outer cylindrical wall 30′.This biased, frictional engagement may result in at least minimalembedding, scraping, penetrating, etc. of the outer free periphery 48′into the interior surfaces 21, as at 21′, of the plunger 20 as at leastpartially represented in FIGS. 6 and 7.

As a result the plunger 20 will be maintained into a movementrestricting engagement with the locking flange 48 of the lockingstructure 46 and/or the outer free peripheral end 48′. The plunger 20will thereby be prevented from being returned to the operative or readyposition as represented in FIGS. 2 and 4. The provision of the lockingdevice 10 and its interactive movement restricting engagement with theinterior surfaces 21 of the plunger 20 will thereby render the dispenserassembly 12, with which the locking device 10 is used, as a “single-use”dispenser, as set forth above.

Further structural features of the locking device 10 include the openinterior of the body 10 and the direct communication of the open ends 32and 34 therewith. As a result, the locking device 10, including the body30 can be said to be operatively mounted in at least partiallysurrounding relation to the dispensing portion 16 of the dispenserassembly 12 as clearly represented throughout the Figures. Further theopened distal end 32 of the body 30 allows passage of the activatingmember 22 of the plunger 20 into activating or operative engagement withthe dispensing portion 16 of the dispenser assembly 12 as clearlyrepresented in FIGS. 5 through 7. Therefore, the open interior of thebody 30 of the locking device 10 can be said to be in receiving relationto the plunger 20 or at least the activating portion 22 thereof when theplunger 20 is forced into the dispensed position as clearly representedin FIG. 6. When the activating portion 22 of the plunger 20 is in theaforementioned dispensed position the body 30 and the outer cylindricalwall 30′ can also be said to be in at least partially surroundingrelation with both the dispensing portion 16 as well as the activatingportion 22 of the plunger 20.

Since many modifications, variations and changes in detail can be madeto the described preferred embodiment of the invention, it is intendedthat all matters in the foregoing description and shown in theaccompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined bythe appended claims and their legal equivalents.

Now that the invention has been described,

What is claimed is:
 1. A dispenser assembly structured for a single-useapplication, said dispenser assembly comprising: a housing including adispensing portion disposed and structured to deliver material from saidhousing, a plunger movably connected to said housing and disposablethereon between an operative position and inoperative position, alocking device disposed within said housing and structured to facilitatepassage of said plunger from said operative position into saidinoperative position, and said locking device including a lockingstructure disposed and configured for movement restricting engagementwith said plunger when said plunger is in said inoperative position. 2.A dispenser assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said movementrestricting engagement comprises a frictional engagement of said lockingstructure with said plunger.
 3. A dispenser assembly as recited in claim2 wherein said movement restricting engagement further comprises amovable sliding engagement between said locking structure and saidplunger.
 4. A dispenser assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein saidlocking device is connected within said housing and includes an openinterior, said open interior disposed in receiving relation to saidplunger when in said inoperative position.
 5. A dispenser assembly asrecited in claim 4 wherein said locking structure is disposed exteriorlyof said open interior in sliding, frictional engagement with saidplunger.
 6. A dispenser assembly as recited in claim 4 wherein saidlocking structure comprises a flange connected to an exterior of saidlocking device and extending outwardly therefrom, said flange at leastpartially formed of a flexible material, said movement restrictingengagement comprises said flange disposed in biased engagement with saidplunger.
 7. A dispenser assembly as recited in claim 4 wherein said openinterior is disposed in at least partially surrounding relation to saiddispensing portion and said plunger when said plunger is in saidinoperative position.
 8. A dispenser assembly as recited in claim 1wherein said locking device comprises a body including an open at leastpartially hollow interior disposed in receiving relation to said plungerwhen in said inoperative position.
 9. A dispenser assembly as recited inclaim 8 wherein said locking structure is connected to an exterior ofsaid body and extends outwardly therefrom into said movement restrictingengagement with said plunger when in said inoperative position.
 10. Adispenser assembly as recited in claim 9 wherein said body comprises asubstantially cylindrical outer wall configuration; said lockingstructure comprising a flange connected to an exterior of said outerwall and extending outwardly therefrom.
 11. A dispenser assembly asrecited in claim 10 wherein said flange is at least partially formedfrom a flexible material and comprises an at least partially annularconfiguration connected to and extending outwardly from an exterior ofsaid outer wall and in at least partially surrounding relation thereto.12. A dispenser assembly as recited in claim 8 further comprising aconnector disposed in interconnecting relation between said body andinterior of said housing.
 13. A dispenser assembly as recited in claim12 wherein said body comprises a head portion; said connector disposedin interconnecting relation between said head portion and an interiorportion of said housing.
 14. A dispenser assembly as recited in claim 13wherein said connector is at least partially formed of an adhesivematerial disposed to adhesively secure said body to said housing.
 15. Adispenser assembly as recited in claim 13 wherein said head portion isdisposed transversely outward in at least partially surrounding relationto an open end of said body, said head portion including an outerexposed surface, said connector mounted on said exposed surface inattached engagement with an interior of said housing.
 16. A lockingdevice structured to maintain an activating plunger of a dispenserassembly in an inoperative position, said locking device comprising: abody dimensioned and configured to be disposed with an interior of ahousing of a dispenser assembly and in accessible relation to theplunger, said body including a locking structure disposed thereon inmovement restricting engagement with the plunger when the plunger is inan operative position, said body comprising an open interior disposed inreceiving relation to the plunger when disposed from an operativeposition to an inoperative position, and said locking structure disposedon an exterior of said body in sliding, frictional engagement with theplunger when in the inoperative position.
 17. A locking device asrecited in claim 16 wherein said body comprises a substantiallycylindrical outer wall configuration; said locking structure comprisinga flange connected to an exterior of said outer wall and extendingoutwardly therefrom.
 18. A locking device as recited in claim 17 whereinsaid flange is at least partially formed of a flexible material andcomprises an at least partially annular configuration connected to andextending outwardly from an exterior of said outer wall and in at leastpartially surrounding relation thereto.
 19. A locking device as recitedin claim 18 wherein said flange is flexibly connected to said outerwall, said movement restricting engagement comprising said flange biasedinto said frictional, movement restricting engagement with the plunger.20. A locking device as recited in claim 16 further comprising aconnector disposed in interconnecting relation between said body and aninterior of the dispenser assembly.
 21. A locking device as recited inclaim 20 wherein said body comprises a head portion; said connectordisposed in interconnecting relation between said head portion andinterior of said dispenser assembly.
 22. A locking device as recited inclaim 21 wherein said connector is at least partially formed of anadhesive material disposed to adhesively secure said body to theinterior of the dispenser assembly.
 23. A locking device as recited inclaim 21 wherein said head portion is disposed in at least partiallysurrounding relation to said body and includes an outer exposed surface,said connector mounted on said exposed surface in attached engagementwith an interior of said housing.